Glitch Renders ‘Virtual Fence’ On Mexican Border Unworkable

TUCSON, AZ. (AP) – A software glitch has rendered the first high-tech “virtual fence” on the nation’s borders inoperable.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says he’s withholding further payment to the prime contractor, Boeing, until the pilot project works. Nine towers equipped with radar, sensors and sophisticated cameras have been built along a 28-mile stretch of the border southwest of Tucson, Arizona.

The area is heavily trafficked by illegal immigrant and drug smugglers. The towers stand a few miles apart and are intended to detect and deter border crossers and help the Border Patrol catch them. Chertoff says he is now looking to begin testing in “about a month.” The fence was originally scheduled to debut three months ago. Boeing says that it’s working to solve the issues.